A village post office that is open six days a week is closing and could be replaced by a mobile postal van that serves for just 45 minutes twice a week.

Cambs Times: St John's Fen End Post Office. Picture: Steve Williams.St John's Fen End Post Office. Picture: Steve Williams. (Image: Archant)

.Villagers in St John’s Fen End have been asked to give their views on the outreach service idea by May 1 after which a decision will be made.

Councillor Brian Long, deputy leader of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council, said the sub postmaster of the store was happy to close as trade had been disappearing.

He said: “I’m disappointed that it could be shutting but understand that trading conditions have been difficult and on that basis if the public don’t use it then this will be the result.

“Whether the new service will be sufficient only time will tell.”

The shop currently opens five full days and half day on a Saturday.

The mobile van idea is to operate on Monday and Thursday from 8.45 to 9:30am.

Cllr Long said: ”It will be interesting to see if anyone wants to start a campaign to save the post office, if the van idea is accepted all flexibility for postal services will be lost.”

The idea is to park the van outside the present Post Office and offer a range of usual services including car tax and on demand travel money.

A Post Office spokesman said the shop would soon be closing following the resignation of the present subpostmaster and the withdrawal of the premises from Post Office use.

Post Office Field Change Advisor Wendy Hamilton said: “We understand how important having a Post Office is to residents in St Johns Fen End and we are confident this new Mobile Outreach service will meet the needs of the local community and safeguard Post Office services for the future.”

“During the public consultation, Post Office Ltd welcomes feedback on any issues customers would like considered before a final decision is taken on this proposal.”

The consultation will close on May 1. Submissions can be made during the consultation by Freepost YOUR COMMENTS to Post Office Ltd, via email to comments@postoffice.co.uk, via the Customer Helpline on 08457 22 33 44 or Textphone 08457 22 33 55.